Step-by-step Directions

Step 1: Locate your viewfinder created earlier in this class. If you no longer have it: Create a view finder using cardboard or a sheet of paper and Exacto Knife. Cut out a 3” x 4” rectangle out of the center of your cardboard. Use your ruler to both center the rectangle and achieve the correct 3” x 4” dimensions.

Step 2: Using your view finder, find five interesting compositions in an Art magazine. These should all be non-representational; there should be NO identifiable objects within the frame. Trace your viewfinder around the composition, and then cut out each of them with your scissors.

Step 3: In your sketchbook using pencil, do one thumbnail sketch for each of these compositions. Each sketch should be on its own page. To the left of your drawing, glue the corresponding magazine composition.

Step 4: Choose your strongest composition. Re-create on 4.5” x 6” transfer paper Using your pencils, lightly sketch in the dominant shapes of the composition. Only use line, do not shade in areas, or use color. You are looking for the main lines and shapes that create the composition. Your drawing should take up the ENTIRE field (4.5” x 6”), reaching the edges.

Step 5: Now transfer the composition two times on three different pieces of 9” x 12” drawing paper. In other words, you should have two of the same composition in one sheet of drawing paper.

Part 2: Color Studies Sketches

Step 6: Complete the following color studies with your gouache paint on each of the drawing sketched drawing papers:

Use Monochromatic Color Scheme on two (2) thumbnail sketches. See Step 9 for guidelines.

Use Analogous Color Scheme on two (2) thumbnail sketches. See Step 10 for guidelines.

Step 7: Review your color studies with a classmate. Select the most successful to utilize for your final paintings. Make note of any changes that need to be made.

Part 3: Finalize the Artwork

Step 8: Sketch your final composition three times on a 9” x 12” drawing paper.

Step 9: Paint the entire composition on one of the 9” x 12” drawing paper you sketched using your Monochromatic color scheme. Make sure the painting includes at least all 8 values from your monochromatic study. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER COLOR (only 1 hue, black and white). No areas of your image should be left unpainted.

Step 10: Paint the entire composition on one of the 9” x 12” drawing paper you sketched using your Analogous color scheme. Choose any 3 hues on your color wheel that are directly next to each other. Make sure the painting includes at least 9 different color variations mixing those 3 analogous hues, white, and black. No areas of your image should be left unpainted.

Step 11: Paint the entire composition on one of the 9” x 12” drawing paper you sketched using your Complementary color scheme. Make sure the painting includes at least 9 different color variations mixing those 2 complementary colors. You may mix white and black into some of your colors, but do this as minimally as possible. Try making your colors darker by mixing your complements. No areas of your image should be left unpainted.

Step 12: Once each of your paintings are complete, mount them individually on a 14”x17” piece of bristol board using your rubber cement glue. Make sure each painting is centered, use your ruler to create guidelines with pencil before gluing.

Project Considerations

Were the proper combinations of hues used to reproduce the color schemes: Monochromatic, Analogous and Complementary ?

Are all areas of the picture plane painted?

Were the colors mixed and applied with skill?

Were all the different shades reproduced on the Monochromatic, Analogous and Complementary paintings?

Are the final paintings been executed in a professional manner? Designs should utilize the designated materials with care, effort, and attention to detail. This includes proper mounting to Bristol Board.

CRAFTSMANSHIP is extremely important for each of your designs and is part of the grading criteria. Do not fold, bend, crease, smudge, tear your artworks! Always take great care when creating each design and then put directly into your portfolio case.

What is Craftsmanship? Care in construction and finishing; demonstration of skill and knowledge of processes; attention to detail. The quality of design and work shown in something that is made by hand.

Grading Criteria

Each of the color scheme paintings will be graded based on the criteria below worth 1 point: Craftsmanship & Materials: The final design has been executed in a professional manner, clean of smudges and non-intentional paint. Design utilized the designated materials with care, effort, and attention to detail. This includes
proper mounting to Bristol Board. Does the design display your ability to evenly mix and apply paint and all the areas covered with paint? Proper paper and paints were used. Composition & Principles of Organization: Does the design apply basic elements and principles of composition (activate the entire picture plane, adhere to the rule of thirds, and establish a primary focal point, dynamic figure/ground relationships and a strong visual flow)? Does the design utilize principles of organization to unify the elements of design (line, shape, space, value, texture, and color)? Principles of organization include negative/positive space, figure/ground relationships, contrast, repetition, emphasis, and directional forces.
Elements of Design & Color Scheme Does the design utilize line, shape, space, texture, value and color? Are the elements of design interesting on their own? Is the design abstracted from subject matter?
Does your painting demonstrate an understanding of the color scheme colors and utilize them as a compositional tool? Does your painting include at least 9 variations of your analogous hues?